Mikael Granlund News

Granlund has been acquired by San Jose as part of a three-way trade which involved Montreal and superstar Erik Karlsson heading to Pittsburgh. The 31-year-old centre is coming off a 10 goals, 31 assist, 111 SOG, and -16 plus/minus season in 2022-23 with both Nashville and Pittsburgh and will be joining his fourth NHL team in San Jose. He has 145 goals, 484 points and 1,400 SOG through 750 career NHL games.

Granlund missed the Penguins' previous game due to illness but is expected to return to the Penguins' lineup on Thursday as they take on the Islanders. The 31-year-old has nine goals, 27 assists, 83 SOG, and a -16 plus/minus through 60 games between Pittsburgh and Nashville this season.

Granlund was scratched Sunday in Dallas but he was on the ice for the morning skate and should play Tuesday vs. the Red Wings. Granlund has just one assist in his last six games and 11 points (5G / 6A) in 28 games the season.

Granlund has yet to arrive at Predators' training camp but hopes to travel to Nashville this week. Granlund will have to quarantine upon his arrival, which means he will miss the start of the regular season. Granlund figures to slot in on the Predators' second line once he joins the team.

Granlund missed Monday's morning skate and is expected to miss his second straight game with a lower-body injury. With Granlund out, Colton Sissons will skate on the Predators' second line with Kyle Turris and Matt Duchene.

The Predators were likely looking to add a centre like Matt Duchene or Kevin Hayes but pivoted to Granlund when those two were traded to Columbus and Winnipeg respectively. Granlund is a player who plays on the wing as well and is know primarily as a playmaker, but is on-pace for his third straight 20-plus goal season. Granlund seems like a player who will either bump Kyle Turris down the lineup and centre the second line or play on Turris’ wing.

Granlund has been sidelined by a groin injury since the season opener, but will draw back in tonight vs. Vancouver after a five-game absence. Granlund, the Wild’s leading scorer last season, will be back on a line with Mikko Koivu and Jason Zucker.

Granlund has been bothered by a groin injury since the season opener but he was back on the ice for Thursday’s practice and skated on the top-line and top power-play unit, making him a game-time decision for tomorrow. Monitor his status during the pre-game skate, but it looks like he will return and it’s a huge addition for the Wild who are quite banged up right now.

Granlund has missed the last three games with a groin injury that he was dealing with in training camp. Granlund returned to the ice on the weekend and had a “good skate” this morning, which suggests he might not be far from returning to the lineup. The Wild are off until Friday, so monitor his status as the week progresses.